Drafted by the New York Islanders but traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs before he completed his Junior career with his hometown Windsor, Ontario Spitfires defenseman D.J. Smith made his National Hockey League debut during the 1996-97 season.

Smith, who was born on May 13, 1977, played the bulk of that campaign in Junior but suited up for the Maple Leafs for seven games. Smith contributed one assist while with the big club and was named to the Ontario Hockey League's Second All-Star Team that year as well.

Smith spent the next two seasons in the American Hockey League with the St. John's Maple Leafs honing his game and returned to the NHL during the 1999-00 campaign. Smith suited up for three more matches with Toronto but was unable to register a point.

Smith returned to St. John's for the rest of that year and all of the next two.